Jail comes with judge's warning

Jerome Tama Tiori was sentenced to 22 months jail after earlier pleading guilty to six charges involving serious violence and threats.

As Jerome Tama Tiori choked his teenager partner to the point she couldn't breathe he swore at her and said "I should kill you".

The 23-year-old was told by a judge who sentenced him to one year and 10 months imprisonment that unless he does something about abuse from his childhood he'd remain at serious risk of committing "homicide" in the future.

When Tiori appeared in Masterton District Court for sentencing Judge Barbara Morris told him he could easily have killed his partner when he strangled her and put a pillow over her face.

Tiori had earlier pleaded guilty to threatening to kill, assault with intent to injure and four counts of injuring with intent to injure.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said there had been several abusive assaults on the victim between August 21 and August 24.

"He told her that he felt like murdering her ... and that she deserved it."

She managed to escape in the morning with several injuries including severe bruising all over her body, scratches and a black eye.

Tiori sat in the dock holding his head in his hands and wept as the police laid out the facts.

Lawyer Peter Stevens said Tiori was extremely remorseful and needed intensive rehabilitation to get his life back on track.

Judge Morris said Tiori had "asserted his control and dominance" over the victim during a very "dangerous act" of violence.

"It's clear you require intensive treatment to reduce the risk. You are at high risk of putting someone's life in danger," she said.

She told Tiori he could change his own violent behaviour and get over his childhood abuse with help and support.

"Grab the opportunity ... your past doesn't have to define your future ... I'm sure you can do it."